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Our Goal is to provide you with the highest quality of care in a
caring and safe environment. In order to do this, we use
the most current periodontal procedures, instruments, medications,
and sterilization techniques. |
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We know that preventing the spread of infectious diseases such as
AIDS, herpes, hepatitis and even the cold virus is critical and
take sterilization very seriously. For this reason we use
extensive sterilization procedures, going well beyond those recommended
by the American Dental Association and Centers for Disease Control.
We use barrier techniques such as disposable masks and gloves and
change them for every patient. Every piece of equipment is
wiped-down with antibacterial solution prior to every operatory procedure. Water
lines and evacuation hoses are cleaned per the guidelines of the
American Dental Association. We use autoclave sterilization
for all instruments prior to dental examination and treatment. You
can be assured that our staff have been specifically trained on sterilization
procedures and their importance. |
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While no dental procedure is 100% comfortable, we go to great lengths
to minimize any discomfort you might feel. Many of our patients
remark, "This was not even painful? How did you do that?" The
following are some of the latest techniques we use to provide you
with as comfortable an experience as possible. |
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Pre-medication |
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Patient
comfort is one of the most important aspects of care. Different
patients have different needs for pain-control medication.
Depending upon the procedure and your wishes, there
are many medications we can prescribe. |
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Injections of Anesthesia |
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Injections of dental anesthesia can become more painful if not precisely
done or if the injection is done at too rapid a rate. We
recognize this and take extra care when giving injections. |
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Conscious Sedation |
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For those patients that would feel more comfortable with conscious
sedation, we are pleased to offer Nitrous Oxide. Nitrous
Oxide is an odorless gas which makes you feel relaxed and at ease. Although
you will be awake, you will not be aware of your surroundings. Conscious
sedation will calm you during dental procedures without the risk
of general anesthesia. |
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General Anesthesia |
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Our facility is approved for General Anesthesia (deep sleep) sedation. For
more involved surgical procedures, we offer General Anesthesia which
is administered by a certified anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist
will stay throughout the procedure and until you are completely awake
afterwards. |
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Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that gets under the
gums and into the bone around your teeth. This infectious
material must be removed and the area given a chance to heal. There
are two generally accepted treatments for this - depending upon
the severity of your infection. |
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Upper Level Infection Removal |
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Bacterial infection which is in the upper levels of the pockets around
your teeth can be removed using specialized instruments. This
procedure is called tooth scaling and root planing. It is done
under local anesthesia and is quite different from routine, or
deep, cleaning which is traditionally done in the general dentist's
office. |
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Lower Level Infection Removal |
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If your infection has gotten into the bone which supports your teeth,
and is below the level that can be reached with specialized instruments,
then a minor surgical procedure must be done to pull back the gums
and remove the lower level infectious bacteria. |
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Crown Lengthening |
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When getting a crown, the general dentist must prepare your tooth
to receive the crown. Sometimes there is not enough tooth surface
above the gumline to accomplish this. Crown lengthening provides
more tooth for your crown. This ensures a more stable crown with
less gum irritation afterwards. Also, if you have a "gummy" smile
or uneven gum line, crown lengthening can help your teeth to
look longer and more even.
Procedure: The
periodontist gives you a local anesthetic
and gently removes excess gum and bone tissue
to expose more of your natural teeth.
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Bone Grafting |
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Your jaw bone is what supports your teeth and gums. Unfortunately,
periodontal disease can eat away at your jaw bone giving it a "depressed" or
shrunken appearance in places. In many cases, this lost bone
can be partially grown back using various bone grafting techniques.
Procedure: The periodontist
gives you a local anesthetic and gently opens
the area filling in the missing section with
bone grafting material.
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Soft Tissue Grafting |
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Longer teeth or exposed tooth roots can look unsightly. They
can also increase your sensitivity to heat, cold or sweets. In
some cases, gum tissue can placed in these areas.
Procedure: The periodontist
gives you a local anesthetic and gently places
a gum tissue graft over the area.
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Antibiotic Treatment |
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Some oral antibiotics can enhance the periodontal treatment you
have received. It can also be beneficial in certain select situations.
Procedure: Prescription of oral antibiotics
with frequent dental check-ups to monitor progress.
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Ridge Augmentation |
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Sometimes after an extraction there will be a sunken in spot in
your gum line. This looks unsightly and can jeopardize
the appearance of a bridge which goes over this area. Bone
grafting material can be inserted to fill out this depression.
Procedure: The
periodontist gives you a local anesthetic
and gently opens the area - filling the sunken
area with bone grafting material.
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Implants |
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Implants are explained in their own separate section. Click
here to go there.
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Each procedure is done with
your comfort and safety in mind. We work
closely with your general dentist to ensure you
get the best possible result in accordance with
your general dentist's wishes. Please feel free
to ask questions before, during or after any
one of these procedures.
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